Booths on topics such as preventing heart disease, eating right, environmental protection and pet safety will fill the Dardanelle Physical Education Building this Saturday for a community-wide Health-Nutrition-Safety Fair.

The event, hosted by the Dardanelle School District, will also offer cholesterol screenings, bone-density tests, body-fat analysis and samples of healthy snacks.

According to Becky Hern, school nurse, the district has held health fairs in the past, but has never involved the community as it is at this year's fair.

"We think it's important that students and parents know the resources available to them, and that they learn about them in a fun and entertaining environment with no stress at all," Hern said. "It's important for us to connect the students with people and organizations in the community that also promote healthy lifestyles."

About 35 local exhibitors and free services will be on hand Saturday to educate and entertain Yell and Pope County students and parents. In addition to common health information, exhibitors will also provide information on other safety issues ranging from tanning bed hazards to healthy sexuality.

"We will have a face scanner set up that will show potential skin cancers," Hern said. "Then we'll have skin care products and sun safety information as well. We're trying to follow up with the issues by not only getting the information to them, but also showing people the ways to improve it."

Saturday's health fair is part of the Dardanelle school district's Wellness Policy that must promote nutrition, physical activity and community involvement. It was also listed as part of the school's annual improvement plan.

Gayla Taylor of the Yell County Co-op Extension said with all of the current myths and misconceptions about health, anyone could benefit from information provided at the health fair.

"We have research-based information that is reliable and credible, so we want to get that out to the public," Taylor said. "Especially when it comes to basic nutrition and weight control, people continue to be misinformed."

Taylor said representatives from the co-op would explain topics related to portion control, the need of dairy products, and some of the harmful things people consume.

"I think this is a great way to get good information without having to pay for it," she said. "These are just simple tips to improve our health."

Linda Baxter of Dardanelle Hospital said medical representatives will provide free screenings as well as information about antibiotics, breast cancer, diabetes, etc.

"Some of these things are more for the parents than the children," Baxter said of the antibiotics campaign. "A lot of parents automatically think that if their child has a fever, they need antibiotics, and that's simply not true. We'll explain the difference in viral versus bacterial illnesses."

Referring to the bone density test being offered Saturday, Baxter said, "Women need to be treated early. So to avoid complications of an increase in fractures as women get older, they should be prepared and know how much they are at risk. ...

"Going to the doctor to get these tests can be expensive, and a lot of people in Yell County don't have insurance. But everybody deserves access to this type of information to give them an idea of what they need to be doing differently."

Health Fair activities

American Red Cross Blood Drive

Snakes program from Lake Dardanelle State Park

Door prizes

Face painting

Food and drinks

Air-Evac landing

Martial Arts demonstrations

400-meter race at 9:30 a.m. for ages 12 and under

800-meter at 10 a.m. for ages 13 and older

Cow milking/combine simulator

Several medical screenings (no food or drink - water only - 12 hours before cholesterol test)

All events are free and open to the public

Volunteers are still need for booths - Call Becky Hern at Dardanelle Middle School at (479) 229-4550 for more information.